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Limits on the Time Variation of the Electromagnetic Fine-Structure Constant in the Low Energy Limit from Absorption Lines in the Spectra of Distant Quasars

R. Srianand, H. Chand, P. Petitjean, and B. Aracil
Phys. Rev. Lett. 92, 121302 – Published 26 March 2004; Erratum Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 029902 (2008)
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Abstract

We present the results of a detailed many-multiplet analysis performed on a new sample of Mg ii systems observed in high quality quasar spectra obtained using the Very Large Telescope. The weighted mean value of the variation in α derived from our analysis over the redshift range 0.4z2.3 is Δα/α=(0.06±0.06)×105. The median redshift of our sample (z1.55) corresponds to a look-back time of 9.7 Gyr in the most favored cosmological model today. This gives a 3σ limit, 2.5×1016(Δα/αΔt)+1.2×1016yr1, for the time variation of α, that forms the strongest constraint obtained based on high redshift quasar absorption line systems.

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  • Received 12 November 2003

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.92.121302

©2004 American Physical Society

Erratum

Editorial Note: Srianand et al. Reply [Phys. Rev. Lett. 99, 239002 (2007)]

R. Srianand, H. Chand, P. Petitjean, and B. Aracil
Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 029902 (2008)

Authors & Affiliations

R. Srianand1,*, H. Chand1,†, P. Petitjean2,3,‡, and B. Aracil2,§

  • 1IUCAA, Post Bag 4, Ganeshkhind, Pune 411 007, India
  • 2Institut d’Astrophysique de Paris, CNRS, 98bis Boulevard Arago, F-75014 Paris, France
  • 3LERMA, Observatoire de Paris, 61 avenue de l’Observatoire, F-75014 Paris, France

  • *Electronic address: anand@iucaa.ernet.in
  • Electronic address: hcverma@iucaa.ernet.in
  • Electronic address: ppetitje@iap.fr
  • §Electronic address: aracil@iap.fr

Comments & Replies

Srianand et al. Reply:

R. Srianand, H. Chand, P. Petitjean, and B. Aracil
Phys. Rev. Lett. 99, 239002 (2007)

Comment on “Limits on the Time Variation of the Electromagnetic Fine-Structure Constant in the Low Energy Limit from Absorption Lines in the Spectra of Distant Quasars”

M. T. Murphy, J. K. Webb, and V. V. Flambaum
Phys. Rev. Lett. 99, 239001 (2007)

See Also

A Constant Worthy of the Name

Don Monroe
Phys. Rev. Focus 13, 13 (2004)

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Issue

Vol. 92, Iss. 12 — 26 March 2004

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